February 12, 2015

HHID: 8 Years & Runnin'



Today marks the eighth anniversary of HHID.  As always, I'm surprised that the blog has lasted this long, can't believe I have actual readers, thank you, click on the Amazon links, blah blah blah.

More importantly, I believe, is the fact that this post exists, if only to prove to you two that I'm still around and I do have plans to come back.  My hiatus has taken a bit longer than I had planned, mostly because it is so goddamned easy to not write.  It probably doesn't help that I still haven't worked my way through most of the rap albums that dropped in 2014, or the few that have trickled out this year (Joey Bada$$, I'm looking at you).

As such, I give up.  The vast majority of this site is made up of reviews of older albums to see if they stand the test of time anyway, so it makes more sense for me to focus on those for the time being.  I'm not quitting new albums entirely, of course: when Jay, 'Ye, or, God forbid, the Wu drop something, I'll probably be around to pick it up.  Just not necessarily right away.  I have a project to finish.

Speaking of that project, in 2015 I plan on eventually laying out the terms in a way that will hopefully explain just why Lil' Wayne isn't a part of it, among others.  Not everyone in the sidebar will see their stories continue on the blog: however, a lot of them will possibly see some interest sparked in their respective back catalogs, which is all I can ask.

For now, I feel like taking a trip out West.  To California, specifically: I'm still not writing about Macklemore.  The last few albums I've taken some notes on (notes which you will read soon, hopefully) have all come from artists who claim the Golden State as the place where they keep their shit.  So I think I'll stick around in that general area for a while, and in the process, boost the West Coast numbers of the site, which, yes, I realize is predominantly New York-based.  What can I say: I have a type.  

What does this mean for you two who may feel inclined to submit Reader Reviews?  As always, you can write about whatever you want (as long as I approved it in the first place - otherwise, you could be wasting your time).  But if you want to get in on this Cali renaissance, you can drop off some submissions for West Coast rappers and groups, and I may run them sooner.  So far, I have exactly two Reader Reviews that fit this description, and I could use more.  I don't know how long I plan on staying in this one spot, or if this will be followed by similar feats in other parts of the country and/or world, but if you want in, send me an e-mail to the address in the sidebar with your proposals and we'll talk.

In the meantime, to keep myself from getting bored, I've been bouncing around some other ideas for features, some of which I've tried before and some of which would be new (to the blog, not the universe).  One thing I want to try is posting songs that I think are worthwhile, via YouTube or other services, and letting you two discuss it in the comments.  Some of them will be well-known, and a few might be question marks (I haven't figured all of this out yet), but I think it'll help spark up some conversation as to which tracks should belong on the hypothetical Hip Hop Hall Of Fame Mixtape.  I plan on starting that up soon.

Other than that, I'll be getting back to the twice-a-week format (Tuesdays and Fridays) shortly.  So now I need to go find some shit to write about.

-Max

68 comments:

  1. Happy 8th anniversary and yes, find something to write about. Review Tetsuo & Youth

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    1. Last time I checked, Lupe isn't based in Compton. I also haven't listened to Lupe since The Cool, so Tetsuo & Youth might be better served by a Reader Review at this point.

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  2. To 808 more! Review some more Xzibit or Snoop, their respective catalogues are almost complete (never mind Snoop Lion however). Also, several posthumous Pac albums are dope

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  3. Labcabincalifornia? king tee? Clipping? W/c?

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    1. Yes, maybe, I don't know what you're referring to, and possibly.

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  4. If you're going to expand on the west, please review a Too $hort album. Perhaps Short Dog's in the House or Life Is... Too Short.

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    1. Being realistic, I'm probably not going to add any new artists to the sidebar. But if someone ELSE wanted to write about $hort, I'd be open to that.

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  5. Happy 8th anniversary! And glad to see you're still around!

    I'm more of an East-coast fan myself, but in your "Journey to the West", it would be nice to see you expand on the back catalogues of The Pharcyde, Wu-affiliates the Black Knights (they dropped an interesting album last year, "Medieval Chamber", entirely produced by ex-Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and Wu-Tang enthusiast John Frusciante. The Japanese edition has a couple bonus songs, at least one of which is worth a listen: "Never Let Go". The trio will also continue working together apparently, with two more albums, "The Almighty" and "All Skills No Luck" tentatively scheduled for 2015) and Souls of Mischief (their fifth album was almost entirely produced by Prince Paul).
    While we're at it, the Hieroglyphics also have some cool CDs, especially Del whom I find consistently good and entertaining ("At the Helm" on the Hiero debut is a personal favourite of mine).
    People Under the Stairs also have some good tracks, and I wouldn't mind reading your take on their album "O.S.T.".

    Anyhow, enjoy the break! Looking forward to reading some more irreverent blog entries!

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    1. It's funny you mention the Black Knights. That's all I'm saying.

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    2. Say no more, I catch your drift.

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  6. I second the Labcabin suggestion above. Well done Max, I really love this blog!

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  7. I've been following this site for almost three years now (ever since I stumbled upon your review of Eazy-E's It's On EP) and you've been the only hip-hop reviews that I've read ever since. Congratulations on 8 years and here's to 8 more. I also wanted to ask if you'll be reviewing any West Coast themed soundtracks, like Friday or Above the Rim.

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    1. Thanks! I'm undecided on the soundtracks in general, although I had been wanting to get back to them for quite a while.

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  8. more Ice Cube, perhaps?

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  9. Although you're looking at west coast artists...I'm Still Looking forward to that B4.DA.$$ Review

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  10. wu syndicate 1999 cd needs a review. how about some J dilla? serious oversight on here if you ask me. more DITC related projects.

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    1. None of those count toward the whole "California" theme I mentioned above, though. And the lack of Dilla isn't an oversight as much as it is a "there are too many rappers in the sidebar and I've bitten off more than I can chew, I shouldn't be adding new artists because I'm trying not to kill myself here" thing.

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    2. shit, i'll do some reviews man. found above the law first album for four bucks a few days ago. picked it up after reading the review and i hadn't listened to it in a few years. good stuff. not trying to diss with the lack of the dilla stuff, but i feel like the guy is deserving of some reviews. enjoy the blog though, found it about a month or two ago and it is entertaining.

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  11. West coast artists/projects you should check out:
    - Ras Kass side projects/official mixtapes
    - Dilated Peoples
    - Alchemist
    - Madlib
    - Planet Asia
    - Casual (check his debut, "Fear Itself")
    - Oh No

    Much love and thank you for.a great 8 years.

    On a side note, will there be any Positive K reviews in the future?

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  12. Another DJ Quik review would be much appreciated!

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  13. Welcome back :)

    Not on the list - I'd like to see some early Ice T reviewed....

    On the list - how about Del's "No Need For Alarm"?

    I was disappointed with the Joey Bada$$ album, looking forward to your own thoughts.

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    1. If you're ever gonna start boosting the West Coast stats, Ice-T is THE place to start. So, yeah, Ice-T. Sure. Sounds like a plan. Excellent.

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  14. Also, am I the only one that misses the comedic genius of the 'drink coaster' reviews?

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    1. Based on some of the responses the last time I did one, you just might be.

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    2. One of two isn't bad...

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  15. Max you must review Tetsuo & Youth. Brilliant Album believe me!

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    1. Let me know when Lupe moves out West and we'll talk.

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  16. Murder was the case soundtrack, Gang Related Soundtrack, Above the Rim Soundtrack, Gridlocked Soundtrack - basically all the Best Death Row soundtracks! Lol

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  17. Ras Kass & Apollo Brown Blasphemy - highly underrated album..

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    1. Of which I've only heard one track, so that could be intriguing.

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  18. Happy Anniversary Boss, been reading for 7 years, maad enthusiastically for prolly the first 4 but then the vibe kina fell off just a bit, then mojo came back and things have been pretty cool since then. Liked the the idea of the reader reviews and hopefully the video/post/discuss section will be another good add to the overall experience.

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  19. Second the dj quik

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  20. Opinion on that new drake though? Again I know you're reviewing Cali artists but come on another Aubrey Review is ALWAYS entertaining...at least in my opinion.

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    1. No opinion yet, as I haven't listened to more than three songs off of it.

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  21. Happy 8 years Max! If you're gonna be doing more West Coast albums, you should try and do some more DJ Quik. The rest of his 90s stuff at least.

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  22. Replies
    1. I didn't write those CMW reviews, so probably not. Not from me, anyway.

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    2. Damn shame, that.

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  23. Does Mid-West count? I woukd like to see an expansion on Common's discography

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  24. What happens to the Reader Reviews previously submitted, such as the one I wrote?

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    1. it's still in the queue. i just may not run it immediately, which will surprise absolutely no one who has submitted one in the past.

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    2. I think you'll like Tyler's album Max I really do. Maybe you've already peeped it though, idk. Would make for a good write up too

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  25. Have my babies Max. Tyler The Creator's Wolf (technically west coast), Blu's Below The Heavens, Labcab, Kendrick Lamar Section 80, Fashawn Boy Meets World, and that's all I can think of after looking at the sidebar! One love.

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    1. I've never written about Blu and Fashawn, so the're out, unless I get some Reader Reviews for them soon (hint, hint). I'm also still undecided on Tyler, as I really don't want to write about him, but...

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    2. Well whoever writes a reader review for Blu, don't write about Below the Heavens cause we want Max's take on it!

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  26. Max please review Section 80 as it is a better album then GKMC in my opinion.

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    1. I think GKMC is a better album but Section .80 has better individual songs if that makes any sense.

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    2. I second this.

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  27. Also, Ab Souls Control System, I'm quite intrigued to read your thoughts on that album.

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  28. Please take a review about African rapper dude! http://bit.ly/ND2MDWeb
    I'm not an expert in hiphop music but I badly needed it for my project...

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  29. happy eighth anniversary! I always enjoy reading the posts in this blog. the
    hypothetical Hip Hop Hall Of Fame Mixtape sounds like a really cool idea!

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    1. Thanks! Hopefully I'll actually get started on that soon.

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  30. Max you realise this sticking to the West thing has serious implications for your Wu leaning with Ghost's latest out? May we have a one off NY review?

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    1. Trust me, if there's anyone on the Interweb that's aware of a new Ghostface Killah album, it's me. Patience.

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    2. And I'm sure you're aware of this as well Max, but CANNIBAL OX drops in a week! AAAAAAAA. The track they did with Black Milk is fire.

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    3. I still have no interest in the project if El-P isn't involved. He could potentially be the reason I liked the first album so much.

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  31. When the west is in the house
    Oh my God
    DAINJA!!!

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  32. More King Tee, The Pharcyde, Hieroglyphics, and Psycho Realm (not a reader review) please FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST!

    Maybe some Lil B?

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    Replies
    1. No Lil' B from me, and no Psycho Realm specifically. Read into that what you will.

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  33. I forgot to mention People Under The Stairs and Ugly Duckling who are both like the west coast's answer to A Tribe Called Quest, so you may or may not love them.

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    1. I've written about Ugly Duckling before. I don't agree with the Tribe comparison, though.

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